1 WALK 117. HATHERSAGE 117. 27-1 Miles. 7 hours 27 minutes. Map White Peak. Dark Peak. SK28/38. SK29/39 “Reproduced by kind permission of Ordnance Survey” Crown Copyright NC/02/30874. Start at Hathersage (231814). Walk down to Leadmill Bridge. Go R off the road at the other side of the bridge through a good slot in a wall. Then enter wood then fields following the river on the R. pass on the way Nether Hall on the other side of the river. It was built in 1840 for J.A. Shuttleworth of Hathersage Hall. Go over several stiles and footbridges on the route. See clearly how flat the river valley is and how it is emphasised by hills rising either side. This type of valley is mostly caused by glacial movement. Pass a three post sign at stepping stones over the river. But carry on with river on the R to come out at Shatton and the road, (after a fine riverside walk). Bear R; cross the road bridge over the River Noe (not the Derwent) and come to the A.625 at 203826. Cross the road to a white gate on the L of a farm gate, walk forward on a wide, hard drive. Bamford Edge rises above. Go L over a stile then under a railway bridge, then bear L to a corner and a stile and walk diagonally NW through a field, making for a large house. Take a wooden step stile on the L of a gate and come out in front of the house. Go L for a few metres, then bear R to walk close to a fence around the house to a wooden stile. Go 50 metres along a grassy lane to a wider lane (which was once a railway track), then go R over a wooden stile and walk on a narrow path with the track of a former railway line on the R. soon come to a sunken lane on the L; go through a slot between two good old gritstones, climbing gently up to the road at a sign go R (199834). Walk uphill into Thornhill; go L at a fork and walk NW past the church. In 100 metres, go R up Townhill Lane which, beyond the houses becomes a leafy lane with hedges, a footpath sign points the way. This lane goes up to Win Hill, but in 100 metres, go R through a narrow slot. The 2 view now takes in the valley between hillsides, the Ladybower dam in front. Drop down the bank through sparse trees and bushes to a slot and out on to a former railway. Go L and walk N on this wide and level track to come to a footpath which crosses L to R: go R down a bank through trees to a step stile in a fence and come to Yorkshire Bridge. This bridge lay on a well-used route; the earliest reference is 1599, when a wooden bridge stood here; it was replaced by a stone bridge in 1695. Go over the bridge then in a few metres go L off the road and climb up through rough ground towards houses above. Go diagonally to a swing gate at the top L corner then walk uphill along a lane to a wooden gate. Go forward past garages to stone steps, then L to a step stile and up to a swing gate and out on to the A.6013 at 201854. Pass the Ladybower Dam on the L; it was opened by George V1 in 1945 with Elisabeth 2. In attendance before she ascended the throne. Bear L cross the viaduct, then R to the Ladybower Inn to go L off the road to a track that goes behind the Inn; go L and walk on a good, hard track that gives views over the water; but, there are more to come. Go through a gate and begin climbing, wall on L. Soon cut off the track, going R steeply up the hillside so as to gain the edge path above. The views are wide and extensive over the water. Note down the valley where the Derwent flows under high hills. Continue walking on this well-worn track which varies between gritstones and peat, it can be muddy in wet weather. Pass a sign indicating that Moscar is to the R and Derwent to the L. Notice the large stones on the R Salt Cellar, Dovestone Tor and cakes of Bread make interesting shapes especially in mist. Just before Back Tor go R and walk down E on Foulstone Road, a good track, stony and hard, dropping all the way and catch a glimpse of the tower near Sugworth Hall. Pass a shooting cabin above on the R to then come to a stile at the R of a gate. Walk now through a wide track with a wall and plantation on each side and pass a metal sign erected by Bradfield P.C. and come down to a road at 221909. Bear L to walk NE. on the L, as Strines Bridge is crossed; have a view of Foulstone Dike, the water flowing over layers of stones. Go several hundred metres uphill to a point at 227909 where to bear R at signs to Stubbin Farm and walk downhill on a drive with views over Strines Reservoir to the tower on the hillside. Follow the drive round for a few hundred metres, then go R off it at a farm which overlooks the dam; pass a footpath sign, then drop down a bank to the trees. This is Brogging; go forward through trees to a wooden footbridge, then bear R and make for a wall with stone steps in it to enter a field to bear R and walk SE upwards. With wall on the R, climb the fairly steep bank to overlook the reservoir and see in the distance the bulk of Back Tor with the path a white line on the hillside. Continue to level ground and smooth grass, pass the tower strongly built for no other purpose than to add to the view. Then make for the entrance to Sugworth Hall to go through the rhododendrons to the far drive and so out between massive gate piers to Sugworth Road at 23389 Bear R, in a few hundred metres, go L over stone steps in a wall. Walk up through a field of long grass to wooden steps on its R, then continue in the straight line, levelling out and eventually coming to a gate with stone steps, which go over and into a lane. Bear R and walk SW past Moscar Cross Farm to the guide-stone itself which lay in the common way which leads from Sheffield towards Derwent: as a C.14 charter put it Moscar Cross was recorded in 1571 as Humblestone Cross, but in mid-C.17 was known by its present name. Mediaeval Crosses stood as landmarks and guide-stones, so Moscar Cross was set up to comply with the Act of Parliament of 1702, its faces inscribed: Sheffield Road; Hathersage Road; Hope Roa(d); Bradfield. Walk down the drive to the road at 231879, passing one gate, then a second with slatted steps on its L. Moscar Lodge then stands impressively on the R. Cross the road, go R for a short distance to a footpath sign and go L toward Stannage. After a wooden step stile, it is a long gentle walk up to the top path over Stannage; there are several marker stones on the way up with WM cut into them. The views are fascinating. Continue on the top path; notice the water holes cut into the rocky boulders. (Children were given an amount of money to cut these holes for the grouse to drink out of them). Bear L and head for Stannage Pole. There was a pole 1453 feet at least as early as 1550; see initials carved into the rock supporting the pole; four sets can be identified with the surveyors who renewed the pole every 50 years or so: H.W. 1581; T.M. 1631; H.H 1697; F.N.1740. 3 Take the path from the pole that goes off at about 150 degrees; it is faintly worn but generally straight but narrow. The path aims for a water-coarse ahead. This has been cut out by a machine; follow it until it gives way to a small stream, then walk over moorland to Upper Burbage Bridge (261830). Cross the road over the bridge, then go R through a slot with a small gate and take the fine wide hard track under Burbage Rocks, enjoy the view of Carl Wark and Higger Tor and soon arrive at the road at 263805. Cross the road to another slot and gate; there is a sign here to Longshaw Estate, through the stile and then go sharp R down to a footbridge across the Burbage Brook. Walk alongside the stream to the next footbridge then cross to walk in the same direction stream on the R. a pleasant short walk comes to a wall and fence where a stile is surmounted to then walk through one of the finest gorges in Derbyshire: Padley Gorge (National Trust). In wet weather the stream below on the R flows fiercely over boulders in white water; the path is always clear through the trees; it goes through two wooden gates to a third gate and the road at 253788. Bear R and walk a short distance to enter the woods again on the R and then cut down to the station and entrance to Totley Tunnel (1893).